Former Mercyhurst assistant Lombardi to be Lions' offensive coordinator

ASSOCIATED PRESS

January 22, 2014 09:52 AM

ASSOCIATED PRESS

January 22, 2014 09:52 AM

FILE - In this Feb. 5, 2010, file photo, New Orleans Saints quarterbacks coach Joe Lombardi watches during NFL football practice in Miami. A person familiar with the situation says new Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell and Lombardi, the grandson of former Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, have agreed on deal for Lombardi to become the Lions' offensive coordinator. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014, because the Lions have not announced the hiring, which was first reported by ESPN. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)AP

Lombardi, the grandson of former Green Bay Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, is a former Mercyhurst University assistant who served from 2002-05 under current Lakers coach Marty Schaetzle.

Lombardi has been an offensive assistant for New Orleans since 2007. He was hired as quarterbacks coach in 2009, the season the Saints won their only Super Bowl over the Indianapolis Colts, who were then coached by current Lions coach Jim Caldwell.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees has passed for more than 5,000 yards in a season three times with Lombardi as his position coach.

Lombardi's first NFL job was with the Atlanta Falcons as a defensive assistant in 2007. He also coached in the XFL for the New York-New Jersey Hitmen. Lombardi also worked at Dayton, Virginia Military Institute and Bucknell.